Judicial Probe Begins into SCB Medical ICU Fire Tragedy

Cuttack: A judicial inquiry into the devastating fire at the Trauma Care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital commenced on Monday.

According to reports, a retired High Court judge has been appointed to lead the investigation. The inquiry team arrived at the SCB Medical College campus in the morning and began questioning staff and officials at the office of the Medical College Principal.

The tragic incident occurred on March 16, when a fire broke out in the Trauma Care ICU, resulting in the deaths of 12 patients. In response, the Odisha government had ordered a judicial probe to determine the cause and accountability.

Earlier, a fact-finding team headed by Development Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh had visited the hospital to assess the situation and identify the reasons behind the fire.

Based on the preliminary findings, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had ordered the suspension of four officials for alleged negligence. Those suspended include Cuttack Circle Deputy Fire Officer Prakash Jena, Assistant Fire Officer Sanjeeb Kumar Behera, SCB Station Officer Abhinav Prusty, and Ranjan Kumar Biswal, Assistant Executive Engineer of the General Electrical Division in Cuttack.

Initial findings of the fact-finding team pointed to lapses and negligence on the part of the suspended officials, prompting swift administrative action. The judicial inquiry is expected to provide a detailed account of the incident and fix responsibility.